The Fight Against Mite Allergy

The common cause of perennial allergic rhinitis is from dust mite protein. Ten percent of the population suffers from mite allergy. Mite allergy comes from house dust mites. The creatures do not cause the allergy itself but it is their dander and excrement.

Mite allergy sufferers usually think that what they have is a respiratory allergy. But in truth, the little insects are responsible for the allergic reaction to their body.

Mite allergy culprits are the dust mites. Dust mites are so small that they cannot be seen with the naked eye. They are oval shaped; eight legged with sticky pads on the ends of their feet to make it easy for them to burrow deep in carpet fibers and other pieces of furniture.

Mite allergy sufferers usually inhale the dead mite particles, which is why it is important for patients to vacuum the carpet properly. The proteins in the droppings and carcass are what trigger the mite allergy attackThe symptoms of mite allergy include sneezing, itchy, watery, eyes, nasal stuffiness, runny nose, stuffy ears, respiratory problems, atopic dermatitis and asthma. Allergic rhinitis is the first indication of the mite allergy.

A person suffering from mite allergy will start sneezing at the first sign of the allergen in the air. Then comes the watery eyes and runny nose. The most severe case of mite allergy can show symptoms of anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction where the symptoms happen suddenly and spreads to the entire body.

Treatment for mite allergy begins with removing the allergen from the sufferer’s environment. The patients should be conscious of their surroundings. Being conscientious of the place’s cleanliness and dust-free scenario should be their major concern.

Medications for mite allergy attacks can be bought over the counter. Antihistamines can easily relieve the patient’s skin irritations, sneezes and watery eyes. There are skin creams that can also be applied to the rashes that appeared during the mite allergy attacks.

Extreme cases of mite allergy attacks can leave a person feeling helpless. And when anaphylactic shock sets in, the only way to remedy it is with an injection of epinephrine or adrenaline.

Another treatment option for sufferers is the immunotherapy. What this does is help your body create immunity to the allergen through a series of injections that will introduce the allergen to the patient. It is a long procedure, lasting over years and the results are still not 100 percent sure.

Preventing allergic attacks from dust mites will take a lot of effort. Since dust mites love warm, humid environments, they are more likely to be found indoors. The house dust that is collected under carpets or in corners of the house carries the mites’ shed skin and their wastes.

There are dust mite covers available for pillows that patients can use. The mattress and under the bed are favorite hiding places of these dust mites and the only way to get rid of them there is to vacuum it or use covers. The air is also a contributor of the allergy. One should use an air conditioning unit with filters to make sure that they can breathe clean air free of allergen. Fans should be cleaned regularly as well since it directs hits the person on the body and path of breathing.

Fighting the battle against dust mites is not an easy task. Just like all allergy sufferers, many dream of a day when no one will have to endure the menace these microscopic insects give us.

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